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Key information

The crane is a huge, graceful, mainly grey bird with long legs, a long neck and drooping, curved tail feathers. There is a small breeding population in Norfolk, a re-introduced population in Somerset and small numbers pass through Britain in spring and autumn.

Numbers in Europe have declined over the last 300 years because of disturbance, shooting and drainage.

What they eat:

Seeds, roots, insects, snails and worms.

Measurements:

Length:

110-120cm

Wingspan:

220-245cm

Weight:

4-7kg

Population:

UK breeding:

48 pairs

UK wintering:

150 pairs

UK passage:

c40

Identifying features:

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.